When to put LO in a bed?

[MumTumAndBum]

I have caught my 19mo old close to climbing out of his cot twice now, he heaves himself up and kind of dangles over head first so I'm wondering do I wait until he actually learns to do it or do I try and avoid an accident and turn the cot-bed into a bed? He's still a bit of a random sleeper, sleeps through 50% of the time, and has wakeful nights 50% of the time and I'd say he settles without issues maybe 80% of the time. Would I use a safety rail at the edge? (it's quite low) and how much getting upat night time am I to expect? I was hoping thsi would come later when he understands he has to stay in bed x

if you don't want to put him in a bed yet, put some cushions / pillows / spare duvet beside the cot to make the landing a bit softer if he does escape

if you want to turn it into a bed now, I'd put a safety rail up(my ds still needs his at 3 as he sleeps right squashed up against the rail!)

can you fit a stair gate on the door to his room? that way if he does get out of bed at least he won't get very far

mine have varied in age hugely as to when we moved them out of the cot / took the cot sides off, anywhere between about 15 months and 2 years. Depends on how much they want to get out!